Tim Grodrian is well known in the Chicago area in the Tax and Finance fields. Although he earned degrees in History, American Literature and English Literature, he is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Broker’s license, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Illinois CPA Society for which he is a frequent lecturer on tax subjects, and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Tim, a consummate entrepreneur , is co-founder of the JMG Financial Group (Wealth Management), Equity Partners (Real Estate Management), Great Lakes REIT which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 1997-2004, Quoin LTD, and Skybox on Sheffield –the original Wrigley Field Rooftop owner. He cites Great Lakes REIT as his greatest achievement. Founded in 1993 with $1,000, the three founders took it public in 1997. When it became private again in 2004, it owned over $500,000,000 of suburban office buildings in the Midwest. While at SSHS, Tim was known for his beautiful tenor voice and went on to be part of the Men of Note singing ensemble at Depauw University. His rendition of Duke of Earl at a Men of Note reunion can be seen on U Tube. Tim… Read More
Mary Jane attended Miami University and was an elementary teacher in Ellettsville Indiana and for Fort Wayne Community Schools. She married the late John Wilks, class of 1961, who was the youngest United States Attorney in history when he was appointed in 1972. As a stay-at-home mom with three children, Jane was active with their activities as well as her own volunteer work with the Junior League of Fort Wayne (where she was president and an area director), church and PTA. In 1986, she was selected to be a part of the Leadership Fort Wayne program that developed and ensured high quality leadership and active involvement of citizens to meet community challenges. When the executive director position became open in 1988, she eagerly jumped at the opportunity to blend her training as an educator with her passion for community service. During her 20 year career with Leadership Fort Wayne, the program expanded from one program for professional adults to four additional programs that served youth as well as nonprofit and grassroots leaders. Her continued involvement in the community through service and leadership on numerous boards and committees includes but is not exclusive to, United Way of Allen County, the American… Read More
After graduation from IU, Louisa worked for the State of Indiana and later for Allstate Insurance as the first female adjuster for the Midwest region. Shortly thereafter she established her own business as a private investigator in Indianapolis. In 1974, Louisa was accepted to the University of San Diego School of Law and then remained in that area where she had a successful 15 year practice as a civil trial attorney. She was president of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association and an officer of the San Diego County Bar Association. In 1991, Louise was selected to serve as a federal judge in the Southern District of California until her retirement in 2012. She is active on the local, national and international levels in legal organizations including Master of the Inns of Court, founding member of the International Association for Court Administration and was president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association. Judge Porter was inducted into the San Diego Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2004. Judge Porter is a published author of professional articles ranging from international dispute resolution and court management to aviation related issues. She is known for more whimsical articles including magazines chronicling dog rescues, flying,… Read More
Candace Shireman is Curator of Blair House, the President’s Guest House, in Washington, D. C., for official visitors of the federal government invited by the US President. She oversees the preservation of its historic structures and American cultural heritage collections belonging to the United States Department of State. She served as historic site administrator and museum curator of the Historical Society of Washington, D. C., before coming to Blair House in 2000. Over her 32 year career in American historic sites and collections stewardship, Candace has authored many publications, exhibitions and programs. She has lectured at noted museums and organizations including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, the Chrysler Museum and the Cosmo9s Club, and has appeared in programs on CBS, ABC, C-SPAN and PBS. Her most recent collaboration with the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, the White House Historical Association and the Blair House Restoration Fund produced the first comprehensive, scholarly book about Blair House published in 2016. Candace holds degrees from Lake Erie College and the George Washington University. Nomination by Cynthia Shireman Mutryn, Class of 1968 Candace S. Shireman, Class of 1970
After a successful track and basketball career at SSHS (High Jump record holder at age 17), Michael went on to Ball State on a track scholarship and studied communications. His first job was in the Washington, D. C. area as a regional manager of an engineering firm, overseeing over 400 employees. Michael returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 where he became a police officer and later served as spokesperson for the department. Under the Mayor Richard and Mayor Henry administrations he was named Director of Communication for the City of Fort Wayne. Joyner developed the International Officer Exchange Program within the Police Department which resulted in an exchange program with police in Germany. As a result of the exchange program’s success, he was invited to be a keynote speaker at a United Nations sponsored SisterCities international conference in Lima, Peru, which was attended by all South American countries. Joyner was the assistant Girls Varsity coach in 2013 and 2014 when the team was Class 4A State Runner Ups. He has been a board member of Neighborhood Health Clinic and Sister Cities International and is widely respected by local business leaders and citizens. Nomination by George Davis, Class of 1952 Michael… Read More
Andrew (Andy) O’Shaughnessy M.D. attended Indiana University School of Medicine, after receiving degrees in biology and computer science from Purdue University. He then did an Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology Fellowship before returning to Fort Wayne in 1995 to work as a Nephrologist with Nephrology Associates of Northern Indiana and Illinois. Andy specializes in all aspects of kidney disease including hypertension, dialysis, transplant5 and electrolyte disorders. He is also Hospice board certified and very active in hospice care. His three children are all heading into medical fields. Andy has served on the boards of directors for Lutheran Hospital, Matthew 25 Health Clinic where he is also a clinical volunteer, the Sexual Assault Treatment Center and Physician’s Health Plan. He is a past president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters board and is currently matched with his 3rd Little over the last 35 years. He was named Board Member of the Year in 2011 by the National Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Andy and his wife Kathy are currently hosting their 4th exchange student. When Lutheran Hospital was clearing land for its new Heart Pavilion, Andy lamented on the loss of some beautiful trees. Lutheran said he could have them, so… Read More
Phil GiaQuinta has always had a heart for public service and a desire to make government more accessible and accountable for his fellow citizens. When he was the Northeast Indiana District Manager for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, he reduced customer wait time to less than 10 minutes. He currently serves as the Utilities Services Manager for the City of Fort Wayne and earned a Six Sigma Black Belt for reducing the average Call Center wait time for City Utilities customers. And he is credited with creating the award winning 311 Call Center for the City of Fort Wayne so that citizens can have a one-stop-shop for all their government related issues. In 2006, Phil successfully ran for office and is now the District 80 State Representative where he currently serves as the Assistant Minority Leader and the Ranking Member of the Public Policy Committee. He is past chair of the Legislative and Rules Committee and has authored several bills including the funding mechanism for the Allen County Fort Wayne Capital Improvement board to fund new and renovated improvement projects and the law that streamlines the home buying process. Recently recognized as Legislator of the year, his areas of special… Read More
Joseph Deitche is the epitome of a 24/7, dedicated teacher at South Side High School where he has taught math (Algebra II and AP Calculus) since 1996. He is known to spend countless hours developing innovative lesson plans and helping students. When he sees that students aren’t grasping the subject, he helps them after school and on weekends, inspiring them to succeed in ingenious ways. He truly cares about them. Joe taught math and science at Capitol High School in Santa Fe NM for one year, after obtaining his bachelor degree in physics and math from Purdue University (Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude) and his masters in physics the University of New Mexico where he was named teaching assistant of the year, before returning to his home town. In addition to his classroom work, Joe has coached the Girl’s Tennis Team and the Academic Math Team. He is also the club sponsor for the Frisbee, Table Tennis and Math Clubs as well as the co-sponsor of National Honor Society. He can be found working most football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track and cross country athletic events and often serves as tour guide for the class reunions. While living in Lafayette,… Read More
Carlton Mable is the current principal of South Side High School, 6th in the history of the school. He began his teaching career at Miami Middle School and Wayne High School. After receiving his MS, he was an administrative intern at Blackhawk Middle School before being named principal at Lakeside Middle School. In the fall of 2008, he became principal of Wayne High School for two years before his assignment to South Side High School. During his eight years of leadership at South Side, the school has achieved academic growth. On the verge of State take-over in 2010, South Side then met all the challenges and goals set forth by the State of Indiana. The prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma program has been expanded to be more inclusive and reflective of the student population and more students are earning IB Diplomas and Certificates. Carlton has had the opportunity to be involved in many community organizations. He served as President of the Fort Wayne Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and the Par-Tee Golf Club. He is a charter member of the Summit City South Rotary Club, a State Board Member with Indiana Black Expo, a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy Class… Read More
Jason F Maurer is an award winning director and animator, having earned his degrees in illustration and animation at Savannah College of Art and Design. His first animated feature film Delgo was an official selection of the prestigious Annecy International Animated Film Festival as well as Seoul International Animation Festival, and awarded ‘Best Feature film’ at Anima Mundi in 2008. He has directed numerous commercials and won one Addy and five Tellys for his work over the years. Jason currently heads up the Animation program at the College of Motion Picture Arts at Florida State University, which is ranked in the top twenty film schools in the nation by Hollywood Reporter. He is a recipient of FSU’s Undergraduate Teaching Award and serves on the College’s curriculum council. He mentors and molds the filmmakers of the future through his classes, discussions and workshops on story, aesthetics, pre-visualization and animated filmmaking. Jason’s students have gone on to become leaders within the industry having worked on and supervised projects such as Coraline, Tumble Leaf, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia to name but a few. Jason attributes his passion and desire for storytelling to his Art teachers at South Side High School, Frank Roberts… Read More